March - April TCEC Rural Living Newsletter by Tri-County Electric Cooperative - Florida

TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Rural Living Where Does YOur Power Come From? Page 6

March & April 2021 Vol. 25 • No. 2

TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

Rural Living Vol. XXV No. II March & April 2021

Board of Trustees

Bobby Dodd

Donnie Waldrep

Catherine Bethea

District 2

District 3

District 5

President

Junior Smith District 1

Benny Bishop District 7

Vice President

George Webb District 4

Johnny Edwards District 8

Secretary/Treasurer

Ann Herring District 6

Elmer Coker District 9

TCEC Staff

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Brewer, Vice President of Engineering Eileen Herndon, Manager of Administrative Services John Tuten, Vice President of Operations Wendell Williams, Vice President of Finance Tri-County Electric Cooperative Rural Living, the voice of your member-owned electric cooperative, is published bimonthly — more if necessary — at no subscription cost to the membership. The publication team is comprised of TCEC employees. Postage is paid at Tallahassee, Fla.

Publication Team

Julius Hackett, Chief Executive Officer Eileen Herndon, Manager of Administrative Services Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director

Publisher

Joanna Forrester Printed on Responsibly Forested Paper Tri-County Electric Cooperative 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340 www.tcec.com 1-800-999-2285

What is the Beneficial Electrification? If you’re like most Americans, you’re interested in saving money on energy costs and in doing your part to help the environment. But wouldn’t it be great if you could do both? Well, you can! It’s through a concept called “beneficial electrification.” This utility industry term means the innovations in energy technologies are creating new ways to use electricity instead of on-site fossil fuels, such as propane, natural gas and fuel oil, in a way that reduces overall emissions and energy costs. In essence, by virtue of being plugged into the grid, the environmental performance of electric devices improves over time. As TriCounty Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TCEC) and other utilities shift to more options that include renewable energy sources to make existing generation technologies cleaner, electricity will require less fossil fuel per kilowatt-hour of energy produced. So, here’s how this concept impacts you. It means that electric appliances such as your water heater, clothes dryer, oven and even your lawn care equipment have the potential to become greener. When TCEC takes advantage of advances in technology at the generation point (how the electricity is produced), it means those efficiencies are inherently passed along to you, the consumer-member.

Electricity is getting cleaner. Because large appliances have a typical lifespan of about 10 years, it means that you are able to benefit from the flexibility of the grid in addition to the increased efficiency of the particular appliance. In other words, the high efficiency electric oven you have today could be powered by renewable sources in the near future. This would not be the case with gas appliances where you are essentially locked into the technology of that gas appliance for the 10year lifespan. As TCEC is able to tap into more renewable options in the future, your electric appliance has the potential to become greener and more energy efficient. The only way you would be able to benefit from this trend is through an electric appliance.

Julius Hackett, CEO Small steps to help the environment For consumers and homeowners looking for more environmentally-friendly options, choosing electric appliances, tools and cars over those powered by fossil fuels is an easy solution. Whether through electric lawn mowers, blowers and weed whackers (plug-in or rechargeable) or through electric water heaters and other appliances, beneficial electrification is a means to reducing greenhouse gases and helping our environment. It can also translate into a better quality of life. For example, when you can trade the loud rumble of a gas-powered mower or blower for the quiet efficiency of electric versions, you eliminate the exhaust emissions and the unpleasant noise.

How we’re doing our part to help the environment As the overall energy sector continues to evolve, your electric cooperative is striving to take advantage of the advances in technology and the opportunities of the market as they become available. This means we can leverage the flexibility of the grid to offer a wider range of renewable power selections as we continue to bring safe, reliable and affordable power to our community. We care about our community because we live here too. I hope you’ll reach out to TCEC, your trusted energy partner, to discuss available renewable energy options and to learn about more ways to reduce your energy use. While each member’s reduction might be small, together, they can lead to significant savings of money and emissions. And that means a brighter future for all of us.

Board Meetings The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. will be held the second Monday of each month at 3:00 p.m. in the central office building of the Cooperative located at 2862 West US 90, approximately two miles west of the City of Madison. March & April 2021

Employees Recognized for their Years of Service to TCEC We are thankful for them and for their years of service to the co-op & our members.

Willie Bell

William Carter

Steve Walden

30 Years of Service

25 Years of Service

Shane Roberts

Derrick Calhoun

Sandra Harrison

Keith Ruff

David Wesson

15 Years of Service

10 Years of Service

Robbie Coker

Chad Mitchell

Andrew Pinkard

Seth Ragans

Jeremey Tuckey

5 Years of Service

TCEC Trustees Earn National Certification Three members of the TCEC Board of trustees recently received recognition for their continued education from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). The NRECA certificate program provides advanced learning opportunities to cooperative board members that range from fundamental to advanced and are designed to help board members at every stage of their service. There are three stages of the program, Certified Cooperative Director (CCD) Certificate designed for new board members, Board Leadership Certificate (BLC) that concentrates greater depth on specific industry and governance issues, and the Director Gold (DG) credential which recognizes those directors who have earned both CCD and BLC certificates and continue learning throughout their service on the board. Board members who earned certificates are Ann Herring of Monticello who received her Board Leadership Certificate (BLC); and Donnie Waldrep of Greenville and George Webb of Lee who earned their Director Gold (DG) recognition.

Ann Herring March & April 2021

Donnie Waldrep

George Webb 3

Three Retire after Years of Service to the Members

Sharon Boothe, front left, at an Operation Outdoor Freedom event

Sharon Boothe, Fiscal Assistant

Darrell Tuten, Vice President of Operations After 42 years of dedicated service to TCEC, Darrell Tuten, Vice President of Operations retired on Friday, February 12, 2021. Darrell began his career at the Co-op in 1979 as a tree trimmer and worked his way through lineman training to journeyman lineman in 1988. He served as a crew leader before advancing to Cooperative Foreman, where he managed the day-to-day jobs of the line crews. For nine years he worked as Operations Supervisor and in 2010 he was promoted to Operations Manager and became responsible for all operations related to line crews, right-of-way, servicemen, substations, transmission lines and mechanics. In 2018 his title was changed to Vice President of Operations. Darrell looks forward to spending more time raising cattle and working on his farm. 4

Sharon Boothe was a 20-year veteran in the finance division of the Cooperative. She meticulously went about her job working with auditors, banking associations, and assisting the Vice President of Finance with financial forecasts and annual budgets. Her last official day of service was January 4, 2021. Sharon is a big supporter of “Operation Outdoor Freedom,” and volunteering her time to help Florida’s wounded veterans.

Bill Kinsey, Serviceman TCEC Serviceman Bill Kinsey retired on February 15, 2021 following a 39-year career. During his tenure, he completed his lineman training and earned his journeyman lineman certification. Bill enjoyed working and meeting members throughout the co-op’s service territory, and Bill Kinsey, right, representing TCEC he appreciated spending at local career fair these last several years in Jefferson County as a serviceman. One of the things he looks most forward to is not having to wake up to an alarm, setting his own schedule, and enjoying more time with his family. March & April 2021

March & April 2021

Where does Your power comE From? E

lectric cooperatives, like other electric utilities, must always ensure we are able to meet the growing energy demands of our consumers. Having access to a diversified mix of fuel sources is key to continuing to provide quality, reliable service to our members. In addition, a diverse generation portfolio reduces exposure to changing market conditions, helping us keep rates from fluctuating as various fuel and generation cost rise and fall over time.

Seminole Electric Cooperative (Seminole) is a notfor-profit generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale essential services to its nine Member distribution cooperatives, including TCEC, through an assorted group of owned and purchased energy resources, including natural gas, coal, and renewable resources, like solar. Seminole owns and operates three electricity generating stations: The Seminole Generating

Station, one of the cleanest coal powered plants in the country; the natural-gas-powered Richard J. Midulla Generating Station; and Cooperative Solar, Seminole’s first photovoltaic solar facility. Seminole also owns, operates, and maintains more than 350 miles of transmission line.

The Seminole Generating Station (SGS) consists of two 650-megawatt, coal-fired generating units. The facility is located in Putnam County. Seminole has invested more than $530 million in state of the art environmental control technology at SGS, making it one of the cleanest coal plants in the United States. In 2018, Seminole announced the removal of one of their two coal units from service in approximately five years. This unit will be replaced with new state of the art natural gas fired generation. Currently named the Seminole Combined Cycle Facility, the new plant is being constructed directly adjacent to the existing SGS site and will have a generating capacity of 1,050 megawatts. The plant is scheduled to be commercially operational by the fall of 2022. Seminole’s 900-megawatt combined-cycle facility, the Midulla Generating Station (MGS) in Hardee County, burns clean, reliable natural gas. The combustion turbines at MGS are similar to supersized jet engines and are designed to increase efficiency by utilizing waste heat to generate more electricity. As a commitment to our neighbors and March & April 2021

the environment, Seminole uses a 570-acre reservoir to cool the steam used to generate electricity at the Midulla Generating Station. Constructed on reclaimed phosphate mining land, this reservoir provides a safe habitat for fish, reptiles, and aquatic birds.

Seminole’s Cooperative Solar facility is located in Hardee County, adjacent to the Midulla Generating Station. This 2.2-megawatt solar array features more than eight thousand solar panels and employs a single axis tracking system, allowing the panels to follow the sun’s movement across the sky, optimizing electricity generation. Seminole has also entered into purchased power agreements with Florida Renewable Partners (FRP) to add more solar energy to Seminole’s resource portfolio. Under these agreements, FRP will build, own and operate four new photovoltaic (PV) solar sites, which are expected to generate 298 megawatts, or 74.5 megawatts per facility, enough to power approximately 60,000 homes. These new solar facilities are expected to be commercially operational in 2023, bringing Seminole’s renewable energy percentage to 8% in 2024. Power Administration (SEPA) in 1957 to purchase energy generated by the hydroelectric dam. In 2020, TCEC purchased 28,271,507 KWH’s from SEPA which represents 8.4% of our total energy mix last year. Except during low-flow conditions or special maintenance outages, power generation at the Jim Woodruff Dam is a continuous (24/7) operation. The megawatts generated vary due to the required water flow through the dam determining the total plant generation. The next time you flip on the light switch in your home, just think, the energy you are using could have come from the power of the sun, or the rushing waters of the Apalachicola River. It may have been generated Seminole is dedicated to maintaining a balanced and in natural gas combustion engines or at one of the diverse power generation portfolio, investing in a cleanest coal plants in the United States. With access mix of technologies and fuel types based on keeping to these quality, reliable energy sources we are able to electricity costs affordable, being a good steward of provide dependable electricity, to you our member – the environment, and ensuring its Member electric consumers. cooperatives have the power they need. In addition to the energy received from Seminole; a percentage of the energy you use every day is generated at the Jim Woodruff Dam on the Apalachicola River near the Florida/Georgia state line. TCEC entered into an agreement with Southeastern March & April 2021

Source: Seminole Electric Cooperative and Southeastern Power Administration https://www.energy.gov/sepa/

ENERGIZING EDUCATION

SCHOLARSHIP

High school seniors and non-traditional undergraduate students who are dependents of a TCEC member are eligible to apply! Scholarships awarded for any accredited University, Community College, or Technical College in the state of Florida.

Visit www.tcec.com/scholarship to apply.

Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2021

Holiday Schedule Reminder All Tri-County Electric Cooperative offices will be closed Friday, April 2nd in observance of Good Friday. Crews will be standing by if needed. Please see “Connect to your Co-op” on page 11. 8

March & April 2021

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board Meetings Summary for September 14, 2020

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. Board Meetings Summary for October 19, 2020

With all Trustees present, key cooperative personnel and the attorney present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of TriCounty Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, September 14, 2020, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building located in Madison, Florida. Reports to the Board included the Seminole Electric Cooperative September 2020 Board Meeting, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, and CEO. Action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the September 14, 2020 Board Agenda; the August 10, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes; and Consent Agenda items as written and recommended by the CEO, which included: the WPCA for September 2020 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for July 2020; the list of new members for July 24, 2020 – August 20, 2020 and August 21 – September 4, 2020 (cut-off date for accepting new members for the Annual Meeting); Work and Accident Report for July 2020 along with the System Outage Reports. Other action taken by the Board included the following: authorization of the second quarter 2020 charge offs for appropriate accounting designation; and renewal of employees’ benefits with NRECA. Plans for the September 19, 2020 Annual Meeting were discussed and a Certificate of Mailing of Official Notice of Annual Meeting was presented for the Board Secretary’s signature. The board reviewed rates of Seminole Electric Cooperative which included fuel and nonfuel rates, projection of natural gas prices, and a comparison of 2020 projected and preliminary 2021 fuel costs. The board was reminded of the October 19, 2020 board meeting date.

With all Trustees present, key cooperative personnel and the attorney present, the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of TriCounty Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held on Monday, October 19, 2020, in the Tri-County Electric headquarters office building located in Madison, Florida. Reports to the Board included the NRECA Regional Meeting, Seminole Electric Cooperative October 2020 Board Meeting, Finance Committee, Policy Committee, Building and Land Committee, and CEO. Action taken by the Board included the following: approval of the October 19, 2020 Board Agenda; the September 14, 2020 Board Meeting Minutes; and Consent Agenda items as written and recommended by the CEO, which included: the WPCA for October 2020 as established by resolution; RUS Form 7 for August 2020; the list of new members for September 5, 2020 – September 20, 2020; and Work and Accident Report for August 2020 along with the System Outage Reports. The 2020 Annual Meeting was discussed. Vice President of Operations Darrell Tuten provided the Board with an overview of how power is restored following a large outage, and CEO Julius Hackett presented information to the Board on rates and the disparity between rates in 2019 and 2020 and the various factors that affect rates. The attorney updated the Board on the Territory Boundary Agreement between the cooperative and Duke Energy Florida.

Bobby Dodd, President

Catherine Bethea, Secretary/Treasurer

Care for yourself one small way each day Find new ways to safely connect with family and friends, get support, and share feelings

Take breaks to relax and unwind through yoga, music, gardening, or new hobbies Treat yourself to healthy foods and get enough sleep

Take care of your body and get moving to lessen fatigue, anxiety, or sadness

320352-A

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Hotline: call or text 1-800-985-5990

March & April 2021

cdc.gov/coronavirus

Bunny Butt Cookies Recipe Ingredients •

1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated sugar cookies

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1/4 cup all-purpose flour

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1 container (12 oz) fluffy white whipped ready-to-spread frosting

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Pink gel food color, if desired

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22 miniature marshmallows

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Assorted size candy sprinkles

Directions 1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, knead cookie dough and flour with hands until well mixed. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.) 2. Reshape dough into 9x1 1/2-inch log. 3. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap. Cut cookie dough into 33 slices. Cut 11 slices into 4 equal wedges; shape each wedge into ovals for bunny feet. Place cookie dough slices and bunny feet on ungreased cookie sheet. 4. Bake 8 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. 5. In medium microwavable bowl, stir frosting and 1 to 3 drops pink food color until well blended. Microwave uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until soft but not translucent. 6. To make bunny butt, frost 1 whole cookie slice and 2 bunny feet with frosting. Place bunny feet on bottom of cookie as shown in photo. Place 1 marshmallow in center of each cookie for tail. Decorate bunny paws with candy sprinkles. Repeat with remaining cookie slices and bunny feet. •

To add ears to your bunny, place candy-coated almonds or jelly beans at top of each cookie.

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You can bake and freeze cookies up to 2 months ahead

Recipe and photo courtesy of www.pillsbury.com

This Publication’s Inspirational Moment And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 10

March & April 2021

2862 W US 90 Madison, FL 32340 kculpepper@tcec.com

March & April 2021

Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc. 2862 West US 90 Madison, FL 32340

Presorted Std. U.S. Postage P A I D Tallahassee, FL Permit No. 706

Rural Living TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE